South Sioux passes measure leading to more firefighters [Video]

SOUTH SIOUX CITY — South Sioux City voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a measure to reallocate city sales tax revenues to enable the city to hire three firefighters.

The measure passed 291-25. Results are unofficial until three provisional ballots are processed and counted in coming days, but they obviously will not change the result.

“I couldn’t be happier,” South Sioux City Fire Chief Doug Koopman said. “This is a huge win for the city of South Sioux City and a huge win for the firefighters as well. It’s good to see they (voters) value their public safety and showed that by showing up to the polls tonight and overwhelmingly voting to pass this.”

Tuesday’s special election asked voters to approve reallocation of approximately $330,000 in sales tax revenue currently used for streets and infrastructure to the fire department. The added funding will enable the city to pay and equip three …